Mary stood motionless in the clearing, the scent of the forest thick in the air. The words that Azrael had spoken echoed through her mind like a curse. He was right about one thing—the thirst was growing stronger, a constant hum beneath her skin that threatened to overtake her will. It had been days since the encounter, but the hunger never stopped gnawing at her.
The forest around her seemed to close in, the shadows pressing against her like a living thing. The darkness was no longer just a part of the night; it had become part of her. She could feel it deep in her bones, a pulsing need for something—something she didn't fully understand.
Mary had always believed that she could fight this, that she could find some way to control the vampire that was awakening inside her. But the longer she resisted, the more her doubts grew. How long could she last like this, trapped between her human side and the monstrous nature that was now a part of her?
Her fingers brushed against the smooth, cold surface of the dagger she kept at her waist, a reminder of the control she once had. But now, it felt almost useless. Her senses were sharper than they had ever been before, and the pull of the blood was undeniable. She could hear the thundering pulse of her own heart, but more disturbingly, she could hear the beating hearts of every living creature in the forest. A rabbit scurried through the underbrush nearby, its pulse quick and frantic, and Mary felt her mouth water. She could feel the warm blood rushing through its tiny body, so close, so within reach.
A breath shuddered through her lips. I can't… I can't give in.
But the words felt hollow. She had promised herself that she wouldn't become like Azrael, that she wouldn't let herself be consumed by the darkness. And yet, here she was, on the edge of giving in.
"Mary."
The voice came from behind her, smooth and soothing. She whipped around, her senses on high alert, her hand instinctively going for her dagger. But it was Lela—standing at the edge of the clearing, her silhouette framed by the silver moonlight. She looked calm, composed, but Mary could see the concern in her eyes.
Lela had been training with her since the moment Mary had embraced her new nature, teaching her how to fight the bloodlust that threatened to consume her. But even with Lela's guidance, Mary could feel herself slipping further away from control.
"Are you alright?" Lela's voice was soft, but it carried a weight of concern. She stepped closer, her gaze not leaving Mary's face.
Mary nodded, but the lie tasted bitter on her tongue. "I'm fine," she lied. "Just thinking."
Lela's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she could sense the truth, but she said nothing. Instead, she stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "You're struggling," she said simply.
Mary couldn't deny it. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and her teeth sharpened involuntarily. The thirst pulsed in her chest like a drumbeat. She could hear the blood flowing through Lela's veins, and for the briefest of moments, she considered taking her, sinking her fangs into the warm, pulsing flesh that was so close.
Lela saw the shift in her expression. She reached out a hand, placing it gently on Mary's shoulder. "You don't have to fight it alone, Mary," she said quietly. "You don't have to hide it."
The words hit Mary like a stone, and she couldn't hold back the surge of emotions that flooded through her. She gripped Lela's arm tightly, almost pleading with her eyes. "But I don't know how much longer I can control it. I can feel it, Lela. The thirst. It's like a constant ache in my chest. It's all I can think about."
Lela's expression softened, her hand resting firmly on Mary's shoulder, grounding her. "That's why you need to accept it. The hunger is part of you now, but it doesn't have to control you. I know it's difficult, but you have the strength to keep it at bay."
Mary shook her head, her breath shallow. "It's not that easy. I've been trying, but every time I feel it, I feel like I'm slipping further into the darkness. I can't even look at you without thinking about what your blood would taste like."
Lela's gaze held steady. "That's the struggle we all face, Mary. But you're stronger than you think. You've already fought through so much, and you've survived. This isn't the end. It's just another step in your journey."
Mary looked down at the ground, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. The struggle was wearing her down, and she was afraid—afraid that one day she would give in, afraid that she wouldn't be able to pull herself back.
She looked up at Lela, searching her face for something—anything—that would give her the strength to keep going. "How do you do it? How do you keep it under control?"
Lela's lips quirked in a faint smile. "It's not easy. There are days when I feel the same hunger you do, when I feel like I'm losing myself. But I've learned to channel it. To focus on what I'm fighting for. It's not about suppressing the darkness, it's about learning to coexist with it."
Mary stared at Lela for a long moment, considering her words. Could she really learn to coexist with this monster inside her? Or was she doomed to be consumed by it?
"Will you help me?" Mary's voice was barely a whisper, but it carried a weight of vulnerability that she hadn't allowed herself to show before.
Lela smiled, her expression warm and understanding. "Of course I will, Mary. I'm here for you, always."
With a deep breath, Mary nodded, her resolve strengthening. She wasn't alone in this. As much as the darkness tempted her, she had Lela by her side. She had a chance.
"I'm ready," Mary said, her voice steady.
Lela gave her a reassuring nod. "Then let's begin."
The two of them walked through the forest together, Lela guiding Mary through the motions of controlling her hunger. They focused on small steps—breathing exercises, meditations, and training that combined mind and body. It wasn't easy, and Mary stumbled often, but with each passing day, she felt herself gaining control. The thirst was still there, but it no longer ruled her.
Yet, despite her progress, something still gnawed at her—the memory of Azrael's words. The promise of power. The freedom to embrace her vampire nature fully. It was tempting, more tempting than anything she had ever felt before. But Lela was right. She had to find her own path. She couldn't let someone else define her fate.
As they trained, a quiet resolve settled over Mary. The hunger was always there, but it no longer scared her. She had made a promise to herself, and she wasn't about to break it now.
The journey was far from over. But for the first time in a long while, she felt like she was finally on the right path.